Help me pick a midi controller
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 3 posts since 12 Jul, 2018
I'm trying to decide on a midi controller and the market is both very homogeneous and kinda confusing. Keep in mind I use Logic as DAW and I'm mostly a guitarist.
I tried a bunch out there and the cheap ones all feel like toys. I was able to put my hands on the following that I didn't immediately disliked:
M-Audio Code 49 > Great keys, heard has bugs that never get fixed and sliders are crappy. I can buy one for $150
Kontrol S61 Mk2 > Great keys, most advanced of the bunch, lacks pads and faders but seems to be the most future proofed and I would probably stick to mostly NI instruments anyways. I can buy one for $500
Akai Advance > Great feeling keyboard, nobody seems to have anything bad to say about it except that the software sucks. I can buy one for $200.
What's your advice? If I haven't put enough detail, feel free to ask me questions, there's definitely things I might not have considered.
I tried a bunch out there and the cheap ones all feel like toys. I was able to put my hands on the following that I didn't immediately disliked:
M-Audio Code 49 > Great keys, heard has bugs that never get fixed and sliders are crappy. I can buy one for $150
Kontrol S61 Mk2 > Great keys, most advanced of the bunch, lacks pads and faders but seems to be the most future proofed and I would probably stick to mostly NI instruments anyways. I can buy one for $500
Akai Advance > Great feeling keyboard, nobody seems to have anything bad to say about it except that the software sucks. I can buy one for $200.
What's your advice? If I haven't put enough detail, feel free to ask me questions, there's definitely things I might not have considered.
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- addled muppet weed
- 105769 posts since 26 Jan, 2003 from through the looking glass
don't know if you've tried and rejected novations stuff already, also my experience is with the original remote25, which i still have and works fine aside from one busted key, which was totally my fault, in a house move.
at 15 years old shows build quality is good.
at 15 years old shows build quality is good.
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- KVRAF
- 3186 posts since 18 Mar, 2008
Try Nektar, there' new T series released.
http://www.nektartech.com
I got myself Impact LX61+ recently and I'm really happy with it, payed 150 buck for it, Logic integration is great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Cc5MvVVBU
http://www.nektartech.com
I got myself Impact LX61+ recently and I'm really happy with it, payed 150 buck for it, Logic integration is great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Cc5MvVVBU
This entire forum is wading through predictions, opinions, barely formed thoughts, drama, and whining. If you don't enjoy that, why are you here? ShawnG
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- KVRAF
- 6419 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
Things that tell better from worse - is sometimes if you have input jacks for both foot pedal and expression pedal. Cheaper ones usually have only foot pedal, like for sustain. And nice if expression pedal input has settings for various kinds.
And what kind of modulation wheel or pitch wheel you prefer?
Some have joystick for that - some have wheels that return in position other let you decide etc.
Others double up with both wheel and fader for modulation.
Those are the basic things I look for - apart from keybed feel.
I also only heard good stuff about Akai keys.
And what kind of modulation wheel or pitch wheel you prefer?
Some have joystick for that - some have wheels that return in position other let you decide etc.
Others double up with both wheel and fader for modulation.
Those are the basic things I look for - apart from keybed feel.
I also only heard good stuff about Akai keys.
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- KVRAF
- 35405 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
If you can get it for that price, then go for it. Should be a solid controller. Dunno about the bugs though.luckymethod wrote: M-Audio Code 49 > Great keys, heard has bugs that never get fixed and sliders are crappy. I can buy one for $150
I wonder where you can get all those controllers for such low prices. Cost a fortune here in Europe.
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thecontrolcentre thecontrolcentre https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=76240
- KVRAF
- 35159 posts since 27 Jul, 2005 from the wilds of wanny
Remote SL mk1 here too. Still the best imho so far as build quality & connectivity is concerned. Mine's going strong after 12 years use.vurt wrote:don't know if you've tried and rejected novations stuff already, also my experience is with the original remote25, which i still have and works fine aside from one busted key, which was totally my fault, in a house move.
at 15 years old shows build quality is good.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 3 posts since 12 Jul, 2018
I tried the novation keyboards and it felt very toy-like and plasticky, not solid at all, lots of lateral jiggle. Didn't inspire confidence.thecontrolcentre wrote: Remote SL mk1 here too. Still the best imho so far as build quality & connectivity is concerned. Mine's going strong after 12 years use.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 3 posts since 12 Jul, 2018
Used on Craigslist, in California there's a healthy market for used instruments although everyone wants to sell for essentially the same price they paid new. Some people at some point give up and drop the price. You gotta pay attention for when that happens.chk071 wrote: I wonder where you can get all those controllers for such low prices. Cost a fortune here in Europe.
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- KVRAF
- 35405 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
Ah... that makes sense then. Thought you guys had so low new prices, and got jealous.luckymethod wrote:Used on Craigslist, in California there's a healthy market for used instruments although everyone wants to sell for essentially the same price they paid new. Some people at some point give up and drop the price. You gotta pay attention for when that happens.chk071 wrote: I wonder where you can get all those controllers for such low prices. Cost a fortune here in Europe.
- KVRer
- 27 posts since 24 Jan, 2005 from Germany
What else can one buy not to get plasric these days?luckymethod wrote:I tried the novation keyboards and it felt very toy-like and plasticky, not solid at all, lots of lateral jiggle. Didn't inspire confidence.thecontrolcentre wrote: Remote SL mk1 here too. Still the best imho so far as build quality & connectivity is concerned. Mine's going strong after 12 years use.
My current FPGA audio project:
http://www.96khz.org/htm/audiovisualizerrt.htm
http://www.96khz.org/htm/audiovisualizerrt.htm